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And Luatua off course did not just play, he played a key role in the defeat of the Lions, giving an off-load to Sonny Bill Williams which opened up the touring side and led to Ihaia West touching down for a later wonder-try.

Bristol fans will be hoping for a bit more of that the next couple of seasons.

Talking in an interview to the new Greene King IPA Championship website, www.championshiprugby.co.uk he said: “That was pretty special, one of my favourite games in all my time at the Blues. To do it against the Lions, against the cream of the crop.

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“It was huge for us, I don’t know what it did for the Lions but as a club we just grew and arm and a leg from that.

“You always want to be involved in games like that and it was great to get over the line the way we did as well.”

Luatua is known for his physicality on the pitch, and at 6ft 4ins and 109kg it is easy to see why. In fact when you meet him he seems bigger than his statistics. At the open press call the other day the club's media team were having trouble filming his try celebration graphic as he was considerably taller than the green screen they had to put behind him.

But who is the Aucklander off the pitch? From first impressions he seems to be a humble, gentle giant.

Asked how he differs off the field to on it, he joked that he struggles to resist all the good food around him, which he has to do to keep mobile and play his trademark game.

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Steven Luatua of Bristol Rugby in action during a Bristol Rugby Team Camp at Clifton College

To help him settle into life at Bristol Luatua has been staying with Siale Piutau, the brother of his best friend Charles, who is joining the club from Connacht next season.

Luatua said: “The transition hasn’t been fast but it has been smooth, and it’s helped staying with Siale Piutau. He’s been able to show me around Bristol and it’s been great. I’ve known him for years, through Charles and we’re family friends so it’s worked out well.

“I’ve got a place sorted that I’m going to move into, and should have a car as well next week, so I’ll be able to get out of his way. Although his wife Blossom is a brilliant cook so I might just have to stick around!”

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Luatua starts at blindside on Sunday against Hartpury in the first league game of the season and for most it will be the first chance to see Bristol’s new signing in flesh, having made his club debut away at Connacht last weekend in pre-season.

Expect some big collisions and 100 percent effort from the big man.

While some players like to go out and party after a game, Luatua said it’s straight to bed for him, so shattered is he by the efforts he exerts on a pitch. If he puts that type of effort in week-in, week-out the kiwi will soon be a firm fan favourite at Ashton Gate.